Brush Fire at Lake Ballinger, Edmonds

At 7 p.m. on Weds the 29th In Shoreline, cinders and ashes began falling throughout my neighborhood. Smoke filled the air to the North, and a quick look around the neighborhood revealed that the island in Lake Ballinger was in flames. Trees and brush alike were alight. At the time I was there shooting photos it was not known what the source of the fire was. The Sheriff Department rescue helicopter arrived to help extinguish the flames At 8:45 p.m. the helicopter was still dropping water on the island flames, but much of the smoke had dissipated by this time.

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Do you know if the police are looking for the kids that started it? I know through two degrees of separation who left the BBQ on the island and was responsible for the fire. Not sure if they are wanted by the cops though...

Marc says ... on Saturday, Aug 1 at 7:23 PM

This fire is NOT in Shoreline so please don't be upset with the Shoreline Fire department, talk to the departments in Snohomish county. Thanks.

Will says ... on Friday, Jul 31 at 11:53 AM

Someone took a boat out to the island and started a grill Illegally. It is not legal to go on that Island.

Cyan says ... on Friday, Jul 31 at 10:44 AM

Unfortunately, the smoke has kicked back up. Hopefully the embers will die down soon.

RF says ... on Friday, Jul 31 at 8:22 AM

The challenge with fires in "boggy" areas is that the fire can get into the root systems of the shubs and trees which has apparently happened here. We dropped lots of water yesterday to beat down the flames, but this could continue to smoulder.

Deltablack says ... on Friday, Jul 31 at 8:06 AM

Does anyone have any recent news about the fire. ie. is it still burning? have they been making any attempts to put it out? I to have asthma and this thing is wreaking havoc with my lungs. this really needs to stop

KT says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 9:22 PM

Sad to see the island catch on fire, but can see why it would be left to burn as there isn't too much of a risk of it catching anything else on fire. Besides it makes finding my house that much easier.

Anonymous says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 9:07 PM

It is still burning. I have asthma and woke up last night coughing and wheezing. It has burned all day and the wind, which usually blows southerly, is once again blowing the smoke west to my apartment. What will it take to put the fire out?

Sue says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 3:20 PM

The helicopter is out there again right now! Almost all foliage is gone, even the large trees! I hope they stay this time (the pilot) until it is completely out!
It has been a long 2 days of this smoke and ash!!

Anonymous says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 3:03 PM

It's burning again!

Natalie says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 11:13 AM

its really sad, so many birds lived there. I live right up the street and it smells awful!

E says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 10:58 AM

Amy, stuff happens...

Anonymous says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 10:12 AM

a couple kids started it forgetting to put out the coals from their bbq apparently...

Anonymous says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 9:55 AM

i live off of Ball. WY NE (2 miles???), i smelt something last night and the saw the smoke and now i still smell it, weird how long it is suppose to linger? did they get it all? i am staying inside

amy says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 9:54 AM

what is going on? why isn't this being taken care of? i live a few miles away and the smell is just awful. it can't be healthy to be breathing this in. is there an issue with gaining access to the island and putting it out once and for all?

Sue says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 9:07 AM

I live at Ballinger Commons across 205th. I can see the island from my deck. It is STILL burning? Huge smoke cloud, and after dark last night there was still embers burning. There is still burning ash coming down, why haven't they put it completely?

Anonymous says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 3:47 AM

ugh... the smoky smell woke me up - how long will this smell linger???
We're not far from the Lake, next to I-5.

Lisa says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 3:43 AM

ugh... woke up to the smoky smell. We're not far from Lake Ballinger. My son was there & was evacuated from the beach area. How long will this smell linger??

Paul says ... on Thursday, Jul 30 at 3:07 AM

4:06 AM - still very stinky in the richmond beach area. Breathing must be difficult for asthmatics, I have healthy lungs and inhaling doesn't feel right.

doyle says ... on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 11:13 PM

its smells bad at 12:15 a.m. still thinks it on fire again!? i live close enough to see it! and the winds shifted to the south and its blowing smoke to the south too!

Anonymous says ... on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 11:13 PM

ii live in Lynnwood!! WE WERE RITE THERE NEXT TO THE ISLAND!!! the police && fire department took forever!!! But ii guess they handle it!!! Lol

Jud says ... on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 10:10 PM

it's blazing again big time what a sight! A neighbor said there was a BBQ and lawn chairs but nobody around...

Betty says ... on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 10:05 PM

Fire must be burning again - smoke and ash are filling the air again beginning about 10:15. (We're a mile away.) Had to close our windows-it's going to be a miserable night if they don't try to put it out for good ASAP.

bluesruby says ... on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 8:52 PM

We too live in Shoreline and got curious about origin of raining ash and intense smoke. Viewed from boat ramp on west side of lake Ballinger, watched as sheriff's helicopter beat down flames,saved the big trees. I do hope any/all critters made it out

gr8fulmama says ... on Wednesday, Jul 29 at 8:41 PM

I saw that! Do they know what caused it? I can still smell smoke at my house.

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